Sunday, November 23, 2008

The sister property to Number One St Luke's, just a couple of streets away, this South Beach hotel's 14 rooms and one suite are all unique, and feature kingsize beds, Siberian goose-down pillows and whirlpool baths. Opened last August, and aimed at attracting a new crowd to Blackpool, it also boasts a restaurant, bar and lounge, and easy access to the new South Beach promenade

2. The Midland, MorecambeRecently opened after a multimillion-pound facelift, this Art Deco hotel (Coco Chanel, Laurence Olivier and Noël Coward were among early guests) is set to put the north-west coast back on the tourist’s map. Brits may need persuading to holiday in Lancs when they could be in St Tropez, but The Midland makes a good case for staying here, with 44 stylish rooms, a restaurant specialising in local classics, and a spa.

3. The Vincent, SouthportAnother contender for hippest new hotel in the north-west, The Vincent is a member of the Design Hotels group, and has already made a splash. The atmosphere is all hi-tech, hi-spec glamour, with 60 lavishly contemporary bedrooms, a penthouse suite, spa and café-deli. Guests even have access to a private members bar.

4. Kemp Townhouse, BrightonJust opened, Kemp Townhouse promises to be Brighton’s chicest new hotel. With just nine bedrooms, the townhouse’s revamp was sensitive to the building’s Regency heritage – period features are set against neutral paintwork, glamorous bathrooms and quirky one-off pieces.

5. St Moritz, WadebridgeDespite being a new building, the St Moritz has a distinctly Art Deco feel. Like a gleaming ocean liner overlooking Daymer Bay, it replaces a predecessor of the same name.Butif first appearances are of a bygone era, there are plenty of modern comforts inside, including a sophisticated restaurant, indoor pool and gym, and a Cowshed spa.